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The X-Ray Listeners’
Guide To
METAPHOR
^
Definition:
One kind of
thing described
in terms of
another kind of
thing. Includes
simile, analogy,
equivalence etc
...for communication mastery
“Metaphor, that’s
how the whole
fabric of mental
interconnections
holds together.
“Metaphor is right
at the bottom of
being alive.”
Gregory Bateson
HOW TO SPOT A METAPHOR
Listen for the words, “Itʼs like...” or, “Itʼs as if...” What follows will almost always be a metaphor.
As you develop your metaphor-spotting skills, youʼll notice that these words are often implied.
People are hardwired to think in metaphor, and to communicate
using metaphor.
As generations of storytellers, leaders and salespeople have
discovered, we are also hardwired to respond to metaphor —
often unconsciously.
By thinking and speaking in metaphor, you can trigger a more
embodied, emotionally-rich experience than when using
abstract language. Metaphor gets to the heart of things.
Metaphors persuade, in everything from art to advertising,
speeches to schoolrooms. And the most persuasive metaphors
of all are a personʼs own, unique and personal metaphors.
Because we think in metaphor, we speak and write in metaphor.
Everyday language is bursting with metaphor — research has
shown that people use roughly six metaphors a minute in
normal conversation. We might use even more than this: almost
all language is metaphorical at some level.
If you want to understand people at a deeper level, grasp
what motivates them, get your ideas across and persuade
people of your point of view, metaphor matters.
Dive In To Metaphor
We’re not generally alert to
metaphors in speech, and it
can take some practise to
become aware of them.
Listen! The more you
practise, the more you will
notice.
Common Metaphors?
Noticing Metaphors
Many humans share similar
metaphors, especially if they
share a language and culture. But
the details are invariably different
for each individual. Thatʼs
because while every baby may
begin life in a similar way and so
learns common metaphors, every
baby also has unique
experiences. We learn about
each new thing in our world and
we think about it in terms of what
we already know.
Itʼs easiest to start by noticing
metaphors when youʼre not
deeply involved.
By the time we are young
children, each of us has a unique,
complex network of personal
metaphors reflecting our life’s
learning so far. By the time we
are adults, the network is very
complex — and mostly
unconscious.
It is easy to believe that another
person’s metaphor is ‘the same’
as yours, but once you examine
the detail, it won’t be.
The Clean Language questions
(including the “2 Lazy Jedi”
questions) were invented by
David Grove to explore the
uniqueness of peopleʼs
metaphors.
RECOMMENDED
READING
Look out for metaphors:
• In your reading (such as this
guide - see below to win)
• On TV and radio
• In overheard conversations eg.
in queues & on public transport
• In group discussions
• In casual conversations.
Most people find their own
metaphors the hardest to spot!
Asking About Metaphors
Clean Language:
Revealing Metaphors
And Opening Minds
by Wendy Sullivan
and Judy Rees
By asking about the metaphors
a person uses, youʼll help them
to bring the metaphors into their
awareness and so become
conscious of their underlying
metaphoric thought.
They will gain all kinds of
insights into what makes them
tick — and so will you.
How Customers
Think by Gerald
Zaltman
Remember, this process will
also heighten the emotions
associated with the metaphor,
so itʼs usually best to start by
asking about metaphors for the
“good stuff”.
The “2 Lazy Jedi” Questions
To find out more about a metaphor, ask:
•“What kind of X is that?”
•“Is there anything else about X?”
The Stuff Of Thought
by Steven Pinker
where X is the metaphor you have heard them use. Ask
the questions as many times as you like, in any order.
Going Deeper Into Metaphor
How many metaphors can you find in this guide? Email your
answer to [email protected] The best each month will
win a copy of my brand new video, Hearing Hidden Metaphors
Clue: last monthʼs winner found more than 12!
© Judy Rees 2011 www.xraylistening.com